Economics

Overview

What caused the great economic crisis of 2008 and what policies were the right reaction? Is globalisation increasing inequality within countries? Between countries? Why, as economies grow richer, are people often not any happier? Can government policies influence this? Why are some governments captured by elites and more prone to corruption than others? What steps should be taken now to combat global warming? Questions such as these, all of which are being examined by leading economists at LSE, illustrate the broad scope of economics today.

Economics today tackles a broad range of problems, from barriers to economic development to international financial crises. An open-minded and scientific approach to these issues requires formal modelling of economic relationships, and testing hypotheses against data. The study of economics therefore involves developing problem-solving skills, including mathematical and statistical abilities, and applying these skills, without losing sight of the real world.

Features of LSE courses

The Department of Economics is regularly ranked number one outside of the USA for its published research in economics and econometrics and in 2008 the national Research Assessment Exercise assessed LSE Economics as the best single department in any major discipline. As an undergraduate in the Department, you will have the chance to learn from economists at the cutting edge of their field.

The economics programmes at LSE aim to provide students with a thorough grounding in the analytical methods of economics and to develop their skills in applying these methods to a diverse range of problems, both microeconomic and macroeconomic, in analysing and constructing complex arguments and in communicating these effectively.

Our BSc Economics programme provides a well-rounded coverage of the economics discipline. The BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics programme enables students to build a particularly strong quantitative background, which is becoming more and more important for a successful career in economics. However, you should note that all modern economics requires an aptitude for and enjoyment of mathematics and that the first year core courses for undergraduate programmes in the Department of Economics include both mathematics and statistics. The BSc Economics with Economic History programme further provides an option for students with a secondary interest in economic history.

Degree structure

We offer two single honours degrees, one in economics, and one in econometrics and mathematical economics. You can also take economics as a major subject with economic history as a minor. The following descriptions show the pattern of study for each degree.

The first year of all our degrees will give an essential foundation in the subject, equipping students with the necessary quantitative skills. Every student will take economics, mathematics, statistics and one other course, plus the innovative LSE100 in Lent term. The second year concentrates on building a firm grasp of core analytical methods in economics and applying them to a range of problems, while the third year allows students to specialise and to apply those methods to particular areas.

It is also possible to study degrees that combine economics in various ways with economic history, environmental policy, geography, government, mathematics, philosophy and social policy. Details of these degrees are in the separate sections for those subjects. The study of economics in all these degrees requires core study in economic principles and mathematics. These degrees are maintained by other departments at LSE.

All of the programmes taught in the Department of Economics take a mathematically rigorous approach to the subject, and are therefore very mathematically demanding of quantitative and analytical ability and interest. This should be taken into consideration when deciding whether this is the most suitable degree programme for you. If you have taken a gap year it will be important for you to review the mathematics that you have learnt previously, in preparation for beginning studies at LSE.

Teaching and assessment

You will have around 12 hours of lectures and classes each week, as well as LSE100 teaching. Classes in groups of around 15 students are the main form of interaction with teachers.

Each student has an academic adviser who is available to offer general guidance and assistance with both academic and personal concerns on an individual basis.

Courses are assessed through examinations in June each year. The sole exception is the project element of the degree in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics which is assessed through the submission of a dissertation.

It is also a very good idea to have a look at one or more economics textbooks, to have a clear idea of what the serious university study of the subject involves, which will differ from these popular presentations. Although the texts and editions listed below are currently recommended for the first year, other editions of these books and other university-level textbooks are also entirely valid for this first investigation.

Graduate destinations

A first degree in economics provides an excellent preparation for a range of careers, but we particularly welcome students who want to learn about economics, rather than simply prepare themselves for a prosperous future. Over the past two decades many of our graduates have chosen to pursue careers in the financial sector, for example in banking and financial services, analytical and trading fields, and advising on mergers and acquisitions. Others have preferred to take up positions as economic or management consultants, to join central banks, their home country’s government economic service or international organisations. Some pursue quite different careers, whether as professional accountants and auditors, engaging in entrepreneurial activity, marketing or law. A significant number choose to go on to graduate study, not only in economics but also in finance, management, development, economic history and other fields.

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